ReFashion - Education for Sustainable Fashion

The fashion and textile industry, a significant global polluter, grapples with sustainability concerns amidst the EU's push for change. However, small businesses, lacking specialized education in ...

The ReFashion project aim was to offer a tailored educational program for SMEs, delivered digitally and free of charge, alongside a Consumer Guide accessible at a click, designed to inform and encourage sustainable consumption habits. This initiative seeks to bridge the gap in vocational education and training (VET) regarding sustainability in the fashion and textiles sector. Specific objectives included: Developing new VET educational programme and create work-based learning opportunities in line with the need for green skills and digital transition, expected in the fashion and textile industry. Increasing cooperation between educational institutions and businesses aimed at promoting work-based learning in all its forms and supporting VET learners in acquiring and developing skills and key competences in fashion and textiles sustainability, fostering employability in the sector. Introducing open education and innovative digital practices, making education available for all and facilitating new and innovative learning methods, by developing the ReFashion online educational program and a new learning source, the Guide that will enable behavioral changes for individual preferences, contributing to changing consumption habits.

The project was implemented in phases, all activities followed a logical sequence until the results were achieved: Initiation: Ensured a good start for the project. Intellectual Output/Phases Boundaries: Committed resources to achieve clear methodologies and sequential activities. Ad Hoc Direction: Monitored progress, provided advice, and reacted to exceptions. Project Closure: Confirmed outcomes and closed the project in a controlled manner. The ReFashion Expert Educational Program was tailored to the ReFashion Expert job profile, developed in line with EQF and ECVET standards. It included curricula and course content validated by target groups and stakeholders, supporting VET teachers/learners in acquiring SF&T skills, creating green jobs, and enhancing employability. Development of ReFashion ICT Elements: Introduced open education and digital practices via website and e-Learning platform development, tested throughout the project. ReFashion Course Testing: Piloted trainings in all countries, gathered feedback for course improvement, emphasizing interaction between educators and businesses. ReFashion Implementation and Testing of E-Learning Platform: Prepared structure and content for online use, incorporated interactivity, and conducted online testing. ReFashion Consumer Guide:educated consumers on SF&T, promoted responsible consumption behavior and lifestyles, widely available on the website. Project Dissemination: Communication and Dissemination Plan ensured clear tasks and timeframes, with equal opportunities for interactions, discussions, and targeted social media campaigns. Multiplier Events: Four planned events in all countries disseminated outputs, involved stakeholders, and showcased sustainable fashion practices. Project Management and Implementation: strategy formulation, implementation, and control tools (work plans, Gantt charts), quality checks of TPMs, three months evaluations, six months evaluation, final evaluation of project management and coordination, were all activities ensuring effective management and reporting

The ReFashion project comprises several key outputs aimed at enhancing sustainability in the fashion and textiles industry: ReFashion Expert Educational Program (IO1): This program defines the ReFashion Expert job profile and includes curricula and interactive course content. ReFashion Experts are individuals involved in driving textile product and business sustainability, including business owners, fashion designers, product developers, buyers, NGOs employees, VET teachers/learners, and environmental managers. The program focuses on optimizing product and business sustainability performance through pragmatic and rational approaches. ReFashion Online Course and Platform (IO2): This output involves the development of an Open Educational Resource accessible via a dedicated project website and e-Learning platform. The platform offers modern, online vocational training aligned with relevant EU standards. It features dynamic and collaborative learning experiences, such as video recorded interviews, assignments, quizzes, and interactive exercises. Translations will ensure accessibility in multiple languages, facilitating participation across partner countries. ReFashion Course Testing (IO3): This output aims to collect feedback from target groups to improve the course content and e-Learning platform functionalities. Four pilot trainings, conducted in partner countries, involve blended teaching activities and feedback collection. The evaluation and testing process will refine the learning products based on user input. ReFashion Consumer Guide (IO4): This output focuses on raising awareness and educating consumers on responsible consumption behavior and lifestyle changes. The guide provides easily accessible and understandable information adapted from the educational courses created for businesses. It aims to educate consumers on industry issues, proper garment care, and appropriate disposal methods.